Wednesday, April 14, 2010

KARL SPRINGER

German born, French educated New York City based Karl Springer (1930 – 1991) was known for his lavish interpretations of Art Deco lines and the use of exotic skins and materials. Springer moved to New York in 1957 to become a bookbinder. Given a job at Lord & Taylor, Springer put the skills of bookbinding to use to create small, decorative objects covered in fine leathers and skins, developing new methods as he went along. His handmade designs caught the eye of a buyer for Bergdorf Goodman and soon began to attract a discerning clientele. He managed to establish his first, tiny workshop in the early 1960's and started concentrating on furniture design in 1965. His style encompassed the gamut from French Art Deco, to Asian and African motifs. His proficiency in materials was second only to his prolific designs, often customized for each client. His designs were executed in wood, metal, lacquer and Lucite, with many of his most recognizable pieces covered in leather, parchment, shagreen, horn or reptile skins. His quest for high quality imbued his work with a sense of scale and proportion. He demanded attention to detail and uncompromising craftsmanship, which won him respect throughout the design industry. In 1991, Springer died of complications from AIDS in New York.